Decorative rock removal??

[D Felix]

We are in the planning stages of a wall removal and re-install (I posted pics of the walls in another thread), and was wondering if anyone had a good way to remove (to save) decorative rock. It's got fabric underneath, so we shouldn't be fighting getting it out of the soil.

Right now we're guesstimating around 15 tons needs to come up.

Anybody have any method that beats a couple of hombres raking it into a tractor/skid bucket?

I've got some ideas, but want to hear other ideas before I share them.... The reason is, I'm not sure how they would work or how cost effective they would be........

And, yes, the rock is worth saving, OUR wholesale cost on it is ~$130/ton!


Dan

[GreenMonster]

hmmmm

I guess you want to get it to a solid area like asphalt or concrete so you can scoop it up easily for reinstallation?

Can you backdrag the majority of it out of there with a skid steer or tractor, then pull out the rest on the fabric -- sort of like tarping leaves? I asssume the fabric isn't strong or wide enough to pull out entirely?

If you tried to scoop it out, you'd almost undoubtedly end up grabbing the fabric too, and losing the rock in the soil???

I guess I'm not really sure. Would probably be clearer being able to see the site. Good luck however you go about it.

[D Felix]

It's the same rock that is on the top side of the walls in the thread that I started a couple of weeks ago on removing walls...

There's no solid surface around, unless you count the pavers below the walls.

I'd wondered about bringing in a power broom attachment on a skidsteer, but I'm afraid that the broom will quickly tear the fabric to shreds. I think a broom/paddle kombi-attachment for the weedeater may work, though it would be slower than the SS attachment.

The other thought I had was a vaccuum excavator, but I'm afraid those would be too costly. Haven't checked into them much yet though.........

Any other thoughts?


Dan

[GreenMonster]

I thought about a powerbroom, but thought it might be too slow (too much rock?).

If it's at the top of that wall, would your really want to get that close with a skid steer?

You figure out how to take down the wall?

[D Felix]

That's a concern too.:)

As for taking the wall down, don't know for sure yet, but we're thinking along the lines of a mini-ex and a thumb, and a couple "manuel" laborers for palletizing. I doubt the block will be re-used, but if it's palletized it'll be easier to deal with.... I may bring some home, if I can sneak it out!

Rough calculations show on the re-build I'm gonna produce around 700 cubic yards (loose) of soil! Gonna have to get a big machine. Fun, fun, fun!:D That, of course, is assuming they want to do it that way......


Dan

[GreenMonster]

I kinda thought a large skid (3000#) capacity with forks. Disassemble wall & palletize at same time. Then, you could reuse the block? I know you said reuse wasn't an issue, but it sure will be sad to see all that destroyed.
:cry:

[D Felix]

The biggest problem with reuse is that there likely will not be enough blocks to install the new walls. And, as you probably know, it's nearly impossible to match 3-4 year old blocks to new ones when it comes to color.....

We're still in the planning stages though, so thing could/will change.


Dan

[Scag48]

Hmm, here's what I would TRY to do. See if you can somehow roll the tarp and rock back about 3 feet on a leading ege then take your skid steer with a bucket and go under the fabric and scoop fabric and rock all in one pass. When the bucket gets full, go ahead of the bucket, rack back some of the rock and cut the fabric so that where you cut the fabric the rocks won't get on the dirt, making a mess. Then haul the rock and fabric to a pile, preferably on asphalt. Then you have pretty good size pieces of fabric that you can just pick through the pile and pull out, leaving the rock.

[Randy Scott]

Honestly, I think good 'ol manual labor may yield the best results. Sometimes there just isn't an easy way to do a tough job. Doing it by hand will probably allow the best results for the original removal and any cleanup/fabric separation needing to be done later.

[D Felix]

That's kinda what I was thinking too, Randy.... I still need to check on cost of a vaccuum excavator though. Depending on cost/day and speed of pick-up, that may be the route to go. A local excavator has a trailer mounted unit that I've seen a few times, need to check with him.

How well do the bristle sweepers (kombi attachment) work compared to paddles for rock? We don't have either, but from what I remembert, one works better than the other.


Dan

[GreenMonster]

I've never used the bristles, but when my paddles hit the rocks, you better duck!:D

[D Felix]

Thanks Mark! Maybe we just need to talk our dealer into demo-ing both of them to see.....

Did you get the email I sent you earlier today?


Dan

[GreenMonster]

Originally posted by D Felix
Thanks Mark! Maybe we just need to talk our dealer into demo-ing both of them to see.....

Did you get the email I sent you earlier today?


Dan

ha! yeah. I just saw it and replied.

[burnandreturn]

I've got a air excavator(air powered vacuum). Do you have large CFM compressor available? Rent? To vacuum the rock you can make a air vacuum that will pick up the rock and load it in a truck or 55 gallon drums.

[D Felix]

Describe what you mean by "make an air vaccuum"...

We've got access to ~180 cfm compressors. We'd have to rent it, but shouldn't be a problem.....

We just need something that will pick up the rock and put it in a pile where it can be moved with a skid/tractor bucket.


Dan

[burnandreturn]

Two ways to build a vacuum using air. Both use the venturi system. The easiest would be around a three inch pvc pipe with a smaller galvanized pipe running down the side with a u on the end. This you clamp to the three inch pipe. Hook this to your big compressor using appropriate hoses. Hook a flexible hose to your three inch pvc and direct it where you want. The venturi effect will create a very strong vacuum right at the tip. Then the air pressure will push the rocks along the pipe and hose into a container or pile. Be very careful. those rocks are gonna come out real hard. The other way uses a big tee fitting with a smaller pipe through the middle. I use both systems to help in excavating dirt and rocks from around trees I'm exposing the flare. I use an air spade to losen the dirt and the vacuum to remove the rocks and dirt.

[D Felix]

Do you have a picture of either set-up? I've kinda got an idea of what you are describing, but a picture goes a long way!